The relationship between schizotypal and obsessive-compulsive features in university students

Comorbid schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) is relatively common in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some have argued, however, that the severity of the primary disorder results in inflated estimates of personality disorder. The present investigation explored the possibility that schizotypal features are also significantly related to obsessive-compulsive features in a nonclinical sample. One-hundred and ninety-two student volunteers completed the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), the latter being a self-report inventory designed to tap all nine features of DSM-III-R SPD. Correlations between schizotypal and obsessive-compulsive features were strongest for compulsive checking as opposed to compulsive washing, slowness or doubting. Regression analyses revealed that only the MOCI checking subscale was a significant independent predictor of the total SPQ schizotypal score. Findings indicate that schizotypal features are also found in association with nonclinical levels of obsessive-compulsive features, particularly checking behaviors. The influence of gender on these findings are discussed.